Louisiana House Bill HB529

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/11
• Refer: 4/25/11

Caption

Provides relative to retention of first-year students at public institutions of postsecondary education

Impact

If passed, HB 529 would modify existing agreements under the Louisiana Granting Resources and Autonomy for Diplomas (GRAD) Act, mandating that each institution's performance agreements include specific targets for student retention in addition to other educational metrics. The Board of Regents will be responsible for monitoring these rates and analyzing data from comparable institutions to establish acceptable retention benchmarks. Consequently, this could lead to improved student success and higher graduation rates across Louisiana's public colleges and universities.

Summary

House Bill 529 aims to enhance the retention rates of first-year students at public institutions of postsecondary education in Louisiana. The legislation introduces a requirement that institutions must retain first-year, full-time degree-seeking students at a rate that aligns with the predicted graduation rates of their peers. This is tied to the institutions' autonomy, including their ability to increase tuition, which is contingent upon meeting these student retention standards. The bill is part of broader efforts to improve outcomes in the state's public higher education system by ensuring that institutions focus on retaining students early in their academic careers.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 529 appears to be generally positive among educational stakeholders who support the focus on student retention and success. Advocates argue that effectively retaining first-year students is critical to increasing graduation rates and improving the overall educational landscape in Louisiana. However, there may be concerns regarding the pressure this places on institutions to not only meet retention goals but also balance their financial needs, particularly with respect to tuition increases.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise surrounding the criteria for determining what constitutes an acceptable retention rate and how institutions achieve this threshold. Some may argue that the reliance on comparisons with peer institutions may not fully reflect the unique challenges faced by different colleges and universities. Additionally, there could be apprehensions about whether this legislation could lead to unintended consequences, such as institutions narrowing their admission criteria to favor students more likely to be retained, potentially impacting diversity and access in higher education.